Eyes Charming - Глава 15
"What did I do wrong?" Ao Jun raised an eyebrow and asked. Just looking at these people, she knew they had been underestimating her, especially Ouyang Jinxuan, who had completely dismissed her statement about helping him defeat the Cangliao Kingdom within three months as nonsense. Hmph, she, Ling Ao Jun, was well-versed in Sun Tzu's *The Art of War*, as well as the profound military strategies left by the ancestors of the Chinese nation. Now she would show them how she, Ling Ao Jun, would use *The Art of War* to wake up these fools.
"Lord Mo, I never expected this... I really never expected this! You've truly awakened me from my dream! Your analysis is so insightful." Before Jin Xuan could speak, Wei Ziqi ran over and excitedly looked at Ao Jun. He knew it, he knew it; Lord Mo was no ordinary person. He truly believed that with Lord Mo's abilities, he could help them defeat the Cangliao Kingdom within three months.
"Ahem, Strategist Mo's insights are indeed profound; I have learned much," Jin Xuan said somewhat awkwardly. He had truly underestimated her; it seemed he needed to reassess her. Using such talent as a spy was a gross underutilization of his abilities, but if she wasn't a spy, then who was she? What was her purpose in infiltrating the military camp? Was it truly to help him?
"Your Highness, generals, shall we still send troops?" Ao Jun glanced at everyone and asked. Learn something? Hmph, I'd rather not!
"This..." No one could say anything. After listening to his analysis, everyone clearly realized that it was indeed not suitable to send troops now, but they couldn't bring themselves to contradict what they had just said. Zhao Zhiyang, in particular, had his face turn red and wanted to refute, but he couldn't squeeze out a single word.
"Since Strategist Mo has said so, how could I, knowing we'll lose, send my soldiers to their deaths? Issue the order to hold back." Ouyang Jinxuan was not a dictatorial person; he would listen to what was right, even if the person's intentions were unclear, as long as it made sense.
"Your Highness...this humble general obeys the order." The others wanted to say something, but Jinxuan stopped them. Changing orders frequently is a major taboo for a commander, but they also understood that this order had to be changed.
Seeing that only she and Ouyang Jinxuan remained in the tent, Ao Jun suddenly felt uneasy. Being alone with him always reminded her of the night they met at the pond, and it felt like something was gnawing at her heart. She didn't like this feeling. She could only explain her unease by thinking that she must really hate this man. She decided it was best to leave quickly.
"I have nothing to do now, I'm leaving." Before Jinxuan could react, she left.
Realizing what had happened, Jinxuan stared thoughtfully at the gradually disappearing figure, a strange feeling slowly rising in his heart.
On a dark and windy night, the eerie forest seemed terrifying in the silent, deserted night.
"What's going on?" A voice, as eerie as a ghost, yet carrying an undeniable air of dominance, echoed deep within the forest, making the empty night sky seem even more terrifying.
"Your subordinate is incompetent. Ouyang Jinxuan has already ordered us to hold back." The man in black, dressed in night clothes with only his shrewd eyes showing, said respectfully.
"Incompetent? Hmph, I, the Crown Prince, have been preparing for so long, deliberately spreading so many rumors, all to lure Ouyang Jinxuan into a trap. Did he see through my scheme?" His red eyes flashed with a dangerous light, yet a smile still lingered on his lips. On a night like this, in a place like this, anyone without a strong heart would be scared to death on the spot.
"Uh? Your Highness... Your Highness, Ouyang Jinxuan had already taken the bait and ordered the troops to be dispatched, but..." the man in black stammered, his hands and feet trembling slightly. It seemed that his heart was strong enough that he hadn't been scared to death.
"Tell me, if the order to send troops was already given, why did he suddenly change it? Doesn't he think that was the best time to send troops?"
"No, all the generals in the camp, including Ouyang Jinxuan, fell into the trap set by the Crown Prince. They thought that now was the best time to send troops. But Mo Jun's words changed everyone's mind. Ouyang Jinxuan even changed the original order, ordering that no matter how much Cangliao Kingdom provoked them, they should not move their troops."
"Mo Jun? Who is that?" The devilish red eyes showed a rare hint of confusion: Mo Jun? When did this person appear?
"He is the last surviving member of Mo Family Village and is now the strategist of the Longxuan Army." The man in black blushed slightly, his face hidden beneath a black veil, as he recalled the incomparably handsome and charismatic strategist, Mo. He was truly more alluring than any woman.
"Mo Family Village? Strategist? Heh, it seems she's here for me, the Crown Prince?" Interesting, very interesting...
"Yes, she said she would help Ouyang Jinxuan defeat Cangliao Kingdom within three months, and defeat... defeat you, Crown Prince."
"Oh, so arrogant. Even the 'Cold-Faced War God' isn't confident of defeating me within a year, yet she dares to claim she can defeat me within three months, hahaha..." The arrogant laughter echoed in the silent forest, the contempt and mockery so obvious.
"She has the right to be arrogant," the man in black murmured softly, as if speaking to himself. Ever since her words, he knew she wasn't just a pretty face, but possessed considerable strength, which made her so arrogant.
"Is that so?" Although the man in black spoke softly, he still heard him. This subordinate of his was shrewd and cunning, with a high opinion of himself; anyone he could acknowledge must be no ordinary person. Mo Jun, he was becoming increasingly interested in her.
"Yes, the Crown Prince's meticulously designed plan was revealed by her in just a few words, as if she already knew the inside story, even more clearly than I do. Her analysis of the current situation of both sides was so thorough; her keen insight is truly terrifying." The man in black said, his eyes filled with admiration and respect that even he himself did not know.
Seeing the Crown Prince staring at him thoughtfully, he knew that with the Crown Prince's arrogant nature, he would not believe that such a person existed and would definitely think that he was exaggerating. After thinking for a moment, he recounted the entire situation of the meeting that day, especially what Mo Jun had said, which he told word for word from beginning to end.
Yelü Ying listened intently as the man in black repeated Mo Jun's words, his red eyes growing deeper and his wicked smile deepening, though the smile never reached his eyes. Mo Jun, is there really such a person in this world?
Just when the men in black thought their crown prince would not speak again, Yelü Ying suddenly burst into laughter: "Haha... I never thought that such a small Mo Family Village would have such a person. Fortunately, I didn't kill her that day, otherwise, wouldn't we have lost an opponent? That would have been no fun. Haha... With this person's help, Ouyang Jinxuan is truly like a tiger with wings. It seems that I, the crown prince, have really given him a good gift! Ouyang Jinxuan must like this gift very much, so much so that she can influence his thoughts and change his orders at will."
"No, Ouyang Jinxuan doesn't trust her at all. Apart from Wei Ziqi, no one in the entire camp truly believes her. It's only because what she says makes sense that..."
"Distrust? And why is that?"
“Ouyang Jinxuan and all the generals suspected that Mo Jun was a spy for Cangliao Kingdom.” Even he had previously suspected that the Crown Prince had sent Mo Jun, but after hearing her words, he knew that she was not.
"A spy? Haha... How could Ouyang Jinxuan even think of that? Sending someone like her as a spy is such a waste. If she were truly one of my people, Ouyang Jinxuan would have been beaten to his knees begging for mercy long ago. Haha..." Yelü Ying laughed arrogantly. But his heart was filled with rage: Why? Why does Ouyang Jinxuan get all the good things in the world? Even someone like that helps you! I'm not reconciled, and I won't let you get away with this! And Mo Jun, I really want to meet you, to see what kind of person you are. Are you just all talk, or do you truly have ability?
"Your Highness, this Mo Jun will definitely be a stumbling block. With Ouyang Jinxuan already here, and her assistance, our army's victory will be... I'm afraid... Should I..." He made a throat-slitting gesture, his shrewd mind revealing a murderous intent. He didn't want to kill such an ethereal figure, but he felt uneasy, sensing that as long as this person was around, Cangliao Kingdom could never win, the Crown Prince could never defeat Ouyang Jinxuan, and what might even happen to the Crown Prince because of her?
"No." Yelü Ying waved his hand. He had considered killing this person upon first hearing of him, but a voice seemed to be stopping him. Before he could figure out what this opposing voice was, the words had already slipped out. He paused for a moment before saying, "Don't touch her for now. Keep a close eye on her. I need to know everything about her." As for Mo Jun, he already had a plan in mind: Ouyang Jinxuan, let's see whether Mo Jun will ultimately submit to me or you.
"Yes." The glint in the prince's eyes, as if he had spotted prey, sent shivers down the spines of the man in black.
"Let's go back first." Yelü Ying waved his hand, and the man in black disappeared in an instant.
"Come out!" After the man in black left, Yelü Xiao said with a wicked smile to the empty woods.
"Haha... It seems the Crown Prince's martial arts have improved even more." The man laughed as he emerged from the shadows.
"Your martial arts have improved quite a bit. What, have you figured it out?" Yelü Ying said jokingly.
"Haha... It is my great honor to be able to discuss important matters with the Crown Prince. However, Crown Prince, it seems you have discovered something interesting, haven't you?" His arrogant attitude showed that he did not regard the person in front of him as the Crown Prince at all.
“It’s really fun. Now that we’re allies, I, the Crown Prince, will naturally share any fun things with you. Haha…” Yelü Ying didn’t care about the other party’s attitude at all and laughed wickedly.
They exchanged a glance and burst into laughter. Their clothes fluttered, revealing a pair of red eyes and an iron mask, making them seem like demons from nowhere in the depths of this eerie forest.
The real war has only just begun...
The Strategist and the Princess on the Battlefield Chapter Fifteen: Jealousy
It was early autumn, yet the border was already bitterly cold. A howling wind swept through, chilling the soldiers of Longxuan, accustomed to the year-round spring-like climate. They were listless, some leaning against the railings, others curled up in corners, fast asleep… This was the scene Jinxuan had witnessed along his journey. These soldiers had followed him for many years; they were brave in battle, undaunted by any hardship. If he was a 'God of War,' then they were the heroes who made him one, the ones who risked their lives to fight alongside him and protect Longxuan. Therefore, in his eyes, they were not ordinary soldiers, not his subordinates, but brothers fighting alongside him.
This time, due to his overconfidence and failure to carefully analyze the situation, they almost lost their lives innocently. A trace of regret flashed across Jin Xuan's cold and handsome face: in their current state, sending troops would undoubtedly be sending them to their deaths. He really shouldn't have overlooked the fact that although they were brave in battle, they were still flesh and blood, and they would find it difficult to adapt to such cold weather.
"Your Highness." A soldier greeted him respectfully upon recognizing him.
"Hmm." Jin Xuan responded softly. This call brought him back to his senses from his annoyance. He then realized that he was standing in front of a tent. This was... Mo Jun's tent. How did he end up here?
Ten days have passed since the meeting that day, and no one has seen her even once in those ten days. Yi Han said that she has been hiding in her tent every day and has hardly come out. Is she plotting something? Thinking this, Jin Xuan stepped into the tent. At this moment, he was unsure whether he was really going to test whether she was plotting something, or whether it was simply because he... wanted to see her. Just as for the past ten days, that cold and indifferent figure had constantly intruded into his mind, lingering there, as if there was always a force in his heart pulling him to see her.
Inside Ao Jun's tent, the one Jin Xuan believed to be plotting something was actually snuggled up in a thick quilt, fast asleep! For the past ten days, as the weather had gotten colder, Ao Jun had spent almost every day huddled in his quilt.